Carajá

The Carajá is a light utility aircraft produced by the Brazilian manufacturer Indústria Aeronáutica Neiva in the 1970s. Designed as a version of Neiva’s earlier IPE 20, the Carajá (official designation N-800) first flew on 12 March 1974 and entered service with the Brazilian Air Force in 1975, where it was designated the C-7. The aircraft features a high‑wing, all‑metal construction, a Lycoming O‑360‑A4M powerplant delivering 180 hp, and a fixed tricycle landing gear, providing excellent short‑field performance and ease of maintenance. Its spacious cabin can accommodate up to six occupants, making it suitable for liaison, training, and medical evacuation missions. The Carajá’s robust design and systems allowed it to operate from austere runways in the Amazon region, proving invaluable for logistics and surveillance in remote areas. Though only a limited number were built—approximately 70 units—its reliability helped establish Neiva’s reputation for producing rugged, cost aircraft. The Carajá remains a symbol of Brazil’s effort to achieve self‑sufficiency in military aviation and continues to be celebrated by vintage aircraft enthusiasts. Several surviving examples have been restored and displayed in museums such as the Museu Aeroespacial in Rio de Janeiro, where they serve as educational tools for generations of engineers and pilots.